Jim Morris, author of Connect or Die: How to Survive AI and CEO of Human Touch Publishing, joins Diana to talk about building genuine relationships without making networking feel transactional or performative. They explore how curiosity, vulnerability, integrity, and a willingness to help first can strengthen your career and why those distinctly human skills matter even more as AI becomes part of everyday work.

-Why helping people without immediately expecting something in return creates stronger relationships
-Getting comfortable asking for opportunities and hearing no
-How Jim’s early life experiences shaped his understanding of connection
-Building relationships across teams, companies, and industries
-Why networking feels gross when you’re performing instead of connecting
-Authenticity, vulnerability, and being willing to say “I don’t know”
-How AI makes human judgment and genuine connection more important
-Paying attention to how people make you feel and what you communicate under pressure
-Using “Send Later” to follow up intentionally and communicate at a better time

⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Why human connection matters in the age of AI
01:42 How relationships led to Jim’s Times Square billboard
08:48 Why you have to be willing to ask
13:27 Jim’s origin story and discovering the power of connection
20:31 Moving beyond transactional networking
22:42 Lead with “How can I help?”
28:22 Why authentic connection is a learnable skill
36:15 AI, human judgment, and standing out by being human
40:40 Vulnerability, feedback, and being willing to say “I don’t know”
43:51 What performative connection feels like
48:58 What comes out when you’re under pressure?
52:12 Using “Send Later” to build better relationships
59:36 Connection, books, and standing out in your career

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